Top 5 Oldest Players to Score a Century and Take 4+ Wickets in ODI Matches

Age plays a significant role in cricket, affecting players’ physical abilities, skills, experience, and overall performance. As players age, their physical fitness and stamina can decline. The demands of cricket require players to be agile, have good reflexes, and maintain high levels of endurance.

Older players may find it more challenging to meet these physical requirements, leading to a potential decrease in performance. Cricket is not only a physical game but also a mentally demanding one. With age, players can develop mental toughness and emotional maturity, allowing them to handle pressure situations better. They may have learned to manage their emotions and stay focused, which can be invaluable in high-pressure matches.

However, there are few players who have performed exceptionally well even after reaching the age of retirement. Here is a list of 5 players who have aged well enough and are still performing at their best.

1) Sikandar Raza (37 Years)

Sikandar Raza is a versatile all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball. Raza has represented Zimbabwe in all three formats of international cricket: Tests, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). In the ongoing ICC World Cup qualifier tournament, Raza played a crucial role while playing against the Netherlands.

While bowling first, Raza picked up 4 wickets in 10 overs at an economy of 5.50. When it came to showcasing his talent with the bat, Raza scored 102 runs in 54 balls with a strike rate of 188.89. His innings included 6 fours and 8 maximum.

2) Sir Viv Richards (35 Years)

Sir Viv Richards is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time. He represented the West Indies in international cricket from 1974 to 1991. Richards was a dominant batsman known for his aggressive style, power-hitting, and ability to change the course of a match single-handedly.

At the age of 35, while playing against New Zealand in 1987, Sir Viv Richards scored 119 runs and troubled the Kiwi batters by picking up 5 wickets. Richards was a leader and played a significant role in the success of the dominant West Indies team of the 1970s and 1980s.

3) Mohammad Hafeez (34 Years)

Mohammad Hafeez had a long and successful career in international cricket. Hafeez is known for his versatile skill set as an all-rounder, contributing with both bat and ball. His contribution to Pakistani cricket extends beyond his individual performances.

He has been a valuable senior player in the team, providing stability and experience. In 2015, while playing against Sri Lanka, Hafeez scored a century to give a major push to Pakistan’s overall score and picked up four wickets while attacking the Sri Lankan batters with the bowl.

4) Tillakaratne Dilshan (34 years)

Tillakaratne Dilshan had an illustrious career in international cricket while playing for Sri Lanka. Dilshan was known for his aggressive batting style, innovative stroke play, and ability to adapt to different formats of the game. During a match in 2011 against Zimbabwe, Dilshan achieved this amazing fleet where he scored 144 runs for Sri Lanka and picked up 4 wickets by giving away just 4 runs. Dilshan’s consistent performances and ability to adapt to different formats of the game made him one of Sri Lanka’s most valuable players during his career.

5) Sanath Jayasuriya (33 Years)

Another Sri Lankan legend, Sanath Jayasuriya, helped Sri Lankan cricket to dominate the world. At the age of 33, during a game against Australia, Jayasuriya showed his magic with the bat and scored a magnificent century and then picked up four wickets while bowling against the Australian batters. Jayasuriya was known for hitting big boundaries and scoring quick runs in highly pressured situations.